Knowshon Moreno Injury: Updates on Broncos Star's Status and Fantasy Value

The Broncos are at a crossroads in Week 3. Not much was expected of them this season, but they are 1-1 and play in a division where no team is better than .500.

Yes, they're only two games in. Still, the Broncos have a game in Tennessee that they can win this weekend.

The news only seems to be getting better, as running back Knowshon Moreno is nearing a return to action.

UPDATE: 9/25/2011 11:59 a.m. ET

The Denver Broncos have show a real dedication to the run game, but new head coach John Fox has said that his two-back system will be how he handles the tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee.

While Moreno started the season as the No. 1 back, the Denver Broncos want to spread the carries evenly or even lean more towards McGahee:

This is a tandem that will both get enough work to go in a deeper league, but if you are in a standard league and can avoid starting either, that would be the recommendation.

UPDATE: 9/24/2011 9:57 a.m. ET

The Denver Broncos have a new head coach in John Fox that depends heavily on the run game and a two-back system, and all of this time Knowshon Moreno misses has to be wearing thin.

CBS Sports is reporting on twitter that despite practicing Friday with the team, Moreno is questionable at best:

The Broncos have become a run heavy team when they have the healthy bodies for it, and while I wouldn’t start Moreno this week, he should remain on your team and in your lineup when healthy because of the guaranteed workload.

Friday, Sept. 23 at 10:00 a.m ET

There isn't much recent news about Moreno's hamstring, but we will monitor whether or not he attends practice today and how much he participates. 

However, Moreno did make the news as Denver Post columnist Woody Paige cites his inside sources as saying the Broncos might dump Moreno at the end of the year. 

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'According to my insiders, the Broncos regretted [the Moreno] draft decision...As I think we all know, Moreno is a short-termer even though he signed a five-year contract.'

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Paige is just being a hater here as he goes on to say that Moreno is only good for a third down back. He hasn't had a great start to his career because of injuries, but he is still a solid running back to have on the team. 

Moreno is better in space, but the fact that he hasn't had a stellar offensive line has also hurt him. If he can come back and stay healthy I think he'd have a strong season under John Fox. 

Thursday, Sept. 22 at 2:20 p.m. EDT

Moreno returned to practice yesterday in a limited capacity. The former first round pick has seen his carries cut into by Willis McGahee, but the Broncos would love to get him back. He was again on the field today practicing with his team.

As for fantasy, he's becoming more and more of a risky play. With McGahee getting redzone touches as well as regular carries, the all-purpose back's value is dropping quickly.

He'll still be a threat out of the backfield, but wait to see how the Broncos use him before putting him back in your lineup.

Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. EDT

Rotoworld just reported that Moreno has returned to practice.

In Moreno, they have a person that can significantly help them win. Kyle Orton has been a good quarterback in recent years, but he'll certainly need some help this season if Denver has any chance.

Moreno missed the Week 2 win against Cincinnati and is still listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

In Moreno's absence, Willis McGahee rushed for 100 yards. In reality, that's why the Broncos signed McGahee. He's a dependable back perfectly capable of stepping in.

So how should fantasy owners manage Moreno this week?

If McGahee is available in your league, grab him. If some other dependable back is available, grab him.

As we've seen with Arian Foster, hamstring injuries need to be handled with care. Maybe more than any other injury, if you play with a hamstring injury, you risk making the injury much greater. You also risk not being very effective on the field.

John Fox and the Broncos certainly know the risks.

So, even though the waiver wire has to be thin with the injuries to star backs around the league, Moreno is someone to avoid.

If he plays at all this week, it will be sparing. Denver has a competent backup in McGahee. Additionally, Moreno’s injury needs to be handled with care.

If Denver has any chances of doing anything this season, they will need a healthy Moreno. Playing him too much with a questionable hamstring injury risks his future for the rest of 2011.

The Broncos’ chances of beating Tennessee without Moreno are much greater than they are of having a good season with Moreno on the bench or ineffective.

Even with an increasingly thin running back position, fantasy owners would be advised to leave him on the bench.